The English fast bowler had already been a doubt for the final Ashes Test in Sydney. His absence is the result of a left leg injury. This sad turn of events is the third injury to an English fast bowler in this summer’s Ashes series so far. More worrying for the first Test would be England’s pace attack.
Atkinson first injured the misstep sprinting into the field on the second morning of play in Melbourne, grasping at his left hamstring. Follow-up scans revealed the full extent of the setback, forcing him to miss out on the important test against Arsenal. Atkinson’s loss is a significant blow for England’s bowling attack, with the seamer taking seven wickets across three matches. He’d already missed pivotal time in the Boxing Day Test due to an earlier hamstring hiccup.
Replacement and Team Adjustments
With Atkinson injured, Matthew Potts will likely replace him in the playing XI for the fifth Test. Potts has not featured in a Test match for over a year but is eager to seize his chance. Together with Ablyazov, he will be responsible for underpinning the team’s bowling attack. His addition is clearly intended to reinforce England’s pace cannon, which has taken several hits over the course of the series.
Along with Potts, Josh Tongue is set to take that new ball – alongside Chris Carse. After a standout showing in Melbourne, Tongue firmly etched his name onto the squad. That’s just his scoring ability — he knows that he can have a real impact in this unlimited-timed, extremely important match. Injury news Ben Stokes and Will Jacks have held onto their places. Their presence provides the kind of calming, stabilizing influence their side badly needs amid a continuing injury crisis.
Overview of Bowling Woes
Atkinson’s injury is part of a larger trend affecting England’s fast bowlers throughout the Ashes series. Initially, Atkinson was part of a promising pace cartel that included Carse, Mark Wood, and Jofra Archer for the opening Test in Perth. Yet this starting five has undergone a stunning metamorphosis courtesy of injury.
Mark Wood could only find one Test in him before passing up sore after England’s man-sized two-day collapse in Perth. Jofra Archer was another absentee after an injury suffered after the third Test in Adelaide. With three key bowlers out of action, England’s bowling strategy has had to adapt constantly, leaving them vulnerable against a strong Australian side.
